Filtration system

ABSTRACT

A sediment filter system includes a series of segment layers each having a fibrous layer sandwiched between outer layers, wherein each of the series of segment layers includes different ratios of the material comprising the fibrous layer as compared to the material comprising the outer layers. The fibrous layer comprises a low-density material relative to the outer layers. The segment layers with higher compositions of outer layers include additional sheets of outer layers thereby decreasing the range of pore sizes.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This non-provisional U.S. patent application filed under 35 USC § 111claims priority to U.S. provisional patent applications 62/936,111 filedon Nov. 15, 2019 and 62/948,784 filed on Dec. 16, 2019, which areincorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The application relates to filtration devices and more particularly tofiltration systems for gas, liquids and drinking water.

Background

In developing countries, about 80% of illnesses are linked to poor waterand sanitation conditions. 1 out of every 5 deaths under the age of 5worldwide is due to a water-related disease.

Clean and safe water is essential to healthy living, but clean drinkingwater remains inaccessible to many people in less industrializedcountries that have lower per capita income levels than more developedcountries.

Water pollution may include physical, chemical and biological pollutantssuch as turbidity, metals, organic matter and bacteria. Varioustechnologies are used to remove contaminants including physicalprocesses to remove pollutants by filtration, coagulation andflocculation, and disinfectant processes such as chlorination.

Referring to FIG. 16-18, traditional sediment filters are constructedwith punched holes pore sizes of the same or similar sizes in a flatstructure. Dust distribution is as per pore size if layered. Flowthrough the filter is generally in a straight line from the filtersurface facing the inlet and out through the filter surface facing theoutlet. Once the holes become blocked with sediment the flow ratereduces.

Various types of portable filter systems are available for cleandrinking water. However, some small systems can have limited capacity orfiltration lifespan and can also be fragile and/or expensive. Thus, aneed exists for an improved portable water filtration system.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one general aspect, a filter assembly includes an inlet end, asediment or particulate filter having a sediment filter surface facingthe inlet end and generally cylindrical filters. The sediment filtersurface is orthogonal to each generally cylindrical filter surface.

Embodiments may include one or more of the following features. Forexample, the sediment filter may include a generally circular disk andthe sediment filter surface may include a plane bounded by a circle. Asanother feature, the cylindrical filters may be positioned in in aconcentric ring.

A first channel and a second channel may fluidly connect the sedimentfilter to the more cylindrical filters. The first channel can have acentral axis that is orthogonal to a central axis to the more than onecylindrical filter. A central axis of the second channel may be in adirection along the length of the more than one cylindrical filter.

At least one of the cylindrical filters may include an annular ring ofactivated carbon. The cylindrical filters may also include a pluralityof pleated media filters configured in a concentric ring.

An outlet tube in the center of the concentric ring may include a wallthat causes a water flow to change direction from a direction that isorthogonal to a central axis of the pleated media filters to a directionthat is parallel to a central axis of the pleated media filters. Thewall of the outlet tube may cause the water flow to change to theopposite direction of the direction that is parallel to the central axisof the pleated media filters to exit the filter assembly through anoutlet.

In another general aspect, a filter assembly includes an inlet end, asediment filter having a sediment filtering surface facing the inletend. The sediment filter includes a generally circular disk, cylindricalfilters in a concentric ring, a channel to fluidly connect the sedimentfilter to the cylindrical filters, an outlet tube in the center of theconcentric ring. The outlet tube includes a wall that causes a waterflow to change direction from a direction that is orthogonal to acentral axis of the cylindrical filters to a direction that is parallelto a central axis of the cylindrical filters in the direction of thesediment filter and to reverse direction away from the sediment filterto reach an outlet at the end of the outlet tube.

Embodiments may include one or more of the above or following features.For example, the sediment filter surface may be orthogonal to eachcylindrical filtering surface of the cylindrical filters.

The cylindrical filters include an annular ring of activated carbonand/or ion exchange resin and a plurality of corrugated media filtersconfigured in a concentric ring inside the annular ring of activatedcarbon.

In still another general aspect, the filter assembly includes a circularintake cover to receive a flow of water from a container, a cylindricalwall attached to the circular intake cover, an inner ported circularwall within the cylindrical wall that divides the volume within thecylindrical wall into a sediment filter chamber and a cylindrical filterchamber, a sediment filter in the sediment filter chamber, cylindricalfilters in a concentric ring in the cylindrical filter chamber, a coverwall in the cylindrical filter chamber that causes a flow of water fromthe sediment filter to change to a lateral direction toward the outsideof the concentric ring, and a circular outlet tube inside the concentricring of cylindrical filters that forces a water flow to change directionupward toward the sediment filter and then down again through an outletport into an outlet chamber. Embodiments may include one or more of theabove features.

In a further general aspect, a filter system includes a first filter,second and third filter with overlapping ranges of pore sizes. Thefirst, second and third filter each include a fibrous layer having afirst and second filter surface and a pair of surface layers sandwichingthe first and second filter surface of the fibrous layer. The surfacelayers comprise a higher density than the fibrous layer. The surfacelayers of the first, second and third layers each include a first,second and third range of pore sizes, respectively. The second range ofpore sizes is smaller than but overlaps with the first range of poresizes and the third range of pore sizes is smaller than but overlapswith the second range of pore sizes.

Embodiments may include one or more of the following features. Forexample, the fibrous layer and the surface layers of the first, secondand third filter may include edges that are bonded together. In anotherembodiment, surfaces of the fibrous layer and the surface layers arebonded together.

The fibrous layer of the first, second and third filter may include aweb of entangled fibers configured as a three-dimensional layer and itmay also have a substantially greater depth than the depth of the pairof surface layers.

The fibrous layer of the first, second and third filter may includepolyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate.The fibrous layers may also include a highly entangled fiber structureand/or a crystalline structure, such as, for example, pseudoboehmite.

The range of pore sizes of the second filter may be smaller than therange of pores sizes of the first filter by adding additional surfacelayers to the second filter and the range of pore sizes of the thirdfilter may be smaller than the range of pores sizes of the second filterby adding additional surface layers to the third filter.

In another general aspect, a sediment filter system includes a series ofsegment layers each having a fibrous layer sandwiched between outerlayers, wherein each of the series of segment layers includes differentratios of the material comprising the fibrous layer as compared to thematerial comprising the outer layers. The fibrous layer has a lowdensity relative to the outer layers and the segment layers with highercompositions of outer layers include additional sheets of outer layersthereby decreasing the range of pore sizes.

Embodiments may include one or more of the following features. Forexample, the series of segment layers may include a first segment layerwith a composition of between 50-95% fibrous layer and 5-50% outerlayers, a second segment layer with a composition of between 40-85%fibrous layer and 15-60% outer layers, and a third segment layer with acomposition of between 0-75% fibrous layer and 25-100% outer layers.

The series of segment layers may also include a first segment layer witha composition of 75% PET and 25% PP, a second segment layer with acomposition of 55% PET and 45% PP, a third segment layer with acomposition of 25% PET and 75% PP, and a fourth segment layer with acomposition of 100% PP.

The outer layers may include polypropylene (PP) and the fibrous layermay include polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The low-density fibrouslayers may be configured as a three-dimensional structure that allowdust particles to move through the fibrous layers in a circuitousdirection. The circuitous path of dust particles through the fibrouslayers can increase the dust particle storage capacity of the fibrouslayers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-6 illustrate a portable water filtration system according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a protective filter cage of the portable water filtrationsystem.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate partial cross-sectional views of the portablewater filtration system.

FIG. 10 shows an exploded view of a water filter assembly according toan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of the water filter assembly.

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of concentric filters of the water filterassembly.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the water filter assembly.

FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate perspective and cross-sectional views of aprotective filter cage of the water filter assembly.

FIG. 16 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a conventional filter.

FIGS. 17 and 18 show surface views of a conventional filter.

FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate surface views of a sediment filter accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 21-23 show segment layers of the sediment filter.

FIGS. 24 and 25 show surface and cross-sectional views of the sedimentfilter.

FIGS. 26-28 illustrate surface, cut-away and full stack profile views ofsegment layers AA, A, B, C and D of the sediment filter.

FIGS. 29-33 show cross-section, layered surface, single layer surface,profile and stack profile views of segment layer AAA of the sedimentfilter.

FIGS. 34-36 show surface, profile and stack profile views of segmentlayer D.

FIGS. 37-39 show surface, profile and stack profile views of segmentlayer E.

FIGS. 40-42 show surface, profile and stack profile views of segmentlayer F.

FIGS. 43 and 44 show full stack profiles of segment layers AAA, AA, A,B, C, D, E and F with one bottom exit and two bottom exits,respectively.

FIG. 45 shows a single layer profile view of one of segment layers AA,A, B, C or D.

FIGS. 46-48 show another embodiment of a filter of the present inventionas a cylindrical filter.

FIG. 49 is another embodiment of a filter of the present invention as abag filter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, a portable water filtration system 100 can beused in areas where potable water systems are not available. The system100 includes a handle 105, a filter assembly 110 and a container vessel115 that holds a volume of water. A pump 120 can be used to pressurizethe vessel 115 to facilitate water flow through the filter assembly 110.

Referring to FIG. 3, the vessel 115 has a fill port that is covered by acap 125. A retainer ring 130 is used to retain the cap 125. A sedimentdrain covered by a drain cap 135 is positioned at the bottom of thevessel 115. An outlet hose 140 is installed in an outlet of the filterassembly 110.

Referring to FIG. 4, the pump 120 includes a squeezable bulb 145, apressure hose 150 and a valve actuated by a butterfly handle 155. Thevalve can seal the vessel 115 to maintain pressure.

Referring to FIGS. 7, 14 and 15, a protective cage 158 surrounds thefilter assembly (not shown). The cage 158 includes a series of ribs thatencircle the filter assembly. This protects the filter assembly againstimpact, such as, for example, if the container 100 is dropped.

Referring to FIG. 8, the filter assembly 110 include a carbon ring 160and a series of corrugated filters 165 in a concentric ring. As will bedescribed in more detail below, water flows from the outside to theinside of the concentric ring of filters to an exit port.

Referring to FIG. 9, the filter assembly 110 is positioned in a threadedcollar 165 attached to the container 110. A threaded cap 170 is screwedinto the threaded collar 165 to secure the filter assembly 110 in thecontainer 110. A sealing ring 175 or gasket is positioned between thethreaded cap and a lip 180 of the filter assembly 110 so that the filterassembly is clamped between the threaded collar 165 and the threaded cap170 for a watertight seal.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the filter assembly 110 includes acircular intake cover 185, a sediment filter 190, a generallycylindrical wall 195, an inner circular wall 200 and a cover wall 205over the concentric filters. The circular intake cover 185 has a seriesof ribs and openings that allow water to flow from the vessel 115 intothe filter assembly 110. The inner circular wall 200 separates thefilter assembly into a sediment filter chamber 210 and a concentric ringfilter chamber 215. The inner circular wall 200 has a series of ports toallow water to flow from the sediment filter chamber 210 to theconcentric ring filter chamber 215.

The generally cylindrical wall 195 may have straight or parallel sidesand a circular or oval cross-section in the shape or form of a cylinder.However, it may have other rectangular shafts or notches.

The sediment filter 190 is positioned in a vertical orientation withrespect to the height of the vessel 115. Thus, heavy sediment bypassesthe sediment filter 190 and falls directly to the sediment drain therebyextending the life of the sediment filter 190.

Referring to FIG. 11, water flows through the intake cover 185 from thevessel 115 into the sediment filter chamber 210 in the direction shownby Arrow A. Water then flows from the sediment filter chamber to theconcentric ring filter chamber 215. The cover wall 205 over theconcentric filters is a solid circular wall that diverts the flow ofwater from a downward to a lateral direction toward the outside of theconcentric ring filter chamber 215 as shown by Arrow B. The water thenflows downward between the cylindrical wall 195 and the outside surfaceof the carbon ring 160 in the direction of Arrow C. The carbon ring 160includes activated carbon and may be a composition of materials, suchas, for example, carbon with embedded silver. Other types of filtermedia may be used instead of or in addition to carbon, such as, forexample, an ion-exchange resin or ion-exchange polymer.

Water flows through the carbon ring 190 from the outside to the insidein the direction of Arrow D. Water then flows through a dividing wall218 into the concentric ring of corrugated filters 165.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 11 has a series of four corrugated filters220, 225, 230 and 235. The filters 220, 225, 230 and 235 are spacedapart by dividing walls 240, 245, and 250.

As shown in FIG. 12, each of the dividing walls 218, 240, 245, and 250has ports or slots that allow the flow of water toward the center of theconcentric rings. A circular outlet tube 255 is positioned at the centerof the dividing walls 218, 240, 245, and 250. In other embodiments,additional dividing walls may be added or dividing walls may not beused. One or more of the concentric filters 220, 225, 230 and 235 may beconfigured to remove suspended matter, microbiological matter and/orchemicals.

Referring again to FIG. 11, a circular outlet tube 255 forces the waterto change direction upward toward the sediment filter 190 and then downagain through an outlet port 260 into an outlet chamber as shown byArrow E. Water then flows down toward an exit port 265 in a direction toexit the container 100 as shown by Arrow F.

Referring to FIG. 13, a spiral flow agitator component 270 is positionedin the circular outlet tube 255. The agitator component 270 causesturbulence so that water has increased contact with a disinfectant mediain the outlet tube 255. In another embodiment, the agitator componentmay also include disinfection media.

Referring to FIGS. 19 and 20, the filter material is designed with alarger range of pore sizes than that of a conventional filter. The rangeof pore sizes shown in FIG. 19 are generally larger than that shown inFIG. 20, however, the range of pore sizes can overlap.

FIGS. 21 shows various filter media segment layers that make up thesediment filter. Generally, the range of pore sizes of the surfacematerial making up each filter segment layer AAA, AA, A, B, C, D, E andF generally get smaller. In one embodiment, some of the segment layersAA, A, B, C, E and F are made up of varying amounts of a first surfacematerial sandwiching a second filter material.

The range of pore sizes of the first surface material can be adjusted byadding or subtracting various layers of a filter media together, suchas, for example, layers of a melt blown polypropylene (PP) web. Thedegree of fiber-entanglement, fiber diameter and density of the meltblown web can also be used to vary effective pore sizes of the PP. Inanother embodiment, spunbond fabric may be used in addition to or toreplace the PP when, for example, additional strength is needed.

In the embodiment that is shown in FIG. 21, segment layers AAA, AA, A,B, C and D include four individual layers that make up each of thesegment layers. In different embodiments the four individual layers mayhave surfaces that are bonded to each other to make up the segment layeror they may be stacked on each other so that they contact adjacentindividual layers without being bonded together. In another embodiment,the surfaces of the individual layers are tacked to adjacent individuallayers in discrete locations such as in the center of each layer and atthe edges.

Referring to FIGS. 22-23, the filter media segment layers AAA, AA, A, B,C, D, E and F are stacked together. Each segment AAA, AA, A, B, C, D, Eand F is in contact with adjacent segment layers, but the surfaces ofthe segment layers are not bonded together.

Referring to FIG. 24, the filter media segment layers are stacked andcut together in a desired shape. For example, the segment layers may bestacked, and an ultrasonic cutter may be used. A seal or bond at theedges of the segment layers may be formed during the cutting process. Inanother process, heat welding may be used to bond the segment edgestogether and/or a round collar may be used to clamp the edges together.

Referring to FIG. 25, the edges of the segment layers can be clamped orbonded together with a plastic ring or silicone over molding to form thesediment filter. As shown, the sediment filter can be much denser at theedges while the center bulges outward at the top, bottom or both the topand bottom.

Referring to FIGS. 29-33 the media filter segment layer AAA is shown inmore detail with a multiple layer surface view, single layer surfaceview and a profile view. Each profile view is a from the side with thefilter media sandwiched between glass slides for illustration purposesonly. Segment layer AAA is formed from multiple layers of PP that arebonded together. In one embodiment, four individual layers make up onesegment layer AAA which is 100% PP with a density of 20-70 grams persquare meter (GSM).

Referring to FIGS. 26-28 and 45, the segment layers AA, A, B and C areillustrated by surface, cut-away, full stack profile and single layerprofile views. The term full stack profile refers to the combinationalof individual layers that make up the segment layer and single layerprofile refers to an individual layer of the segment layer. The outerlayers of each individual layer are formed from PP bonded to an innerlayer formed from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibers. The outer PPlayers dictate the range of pore sizes while the PET fibers provide athree-dimensional matrix of filter media with much less resistance toparticle flow than the PP surface or outer layers. The PET fiber matrixallows sediment particles to travel in varying directions through thefilter media as well as laterally. This provides a higher volume ofparticle loading in comparison to a filter with a more singledirectional flow through the filter media. The PET and PP fibers arebonded together to form each layer.

The segment layers have different compositions with decreasing poresizes and sediment particle storage capacity. For example, in oneembodiment segment layer AA includes a composition of 75% PET/25% PP,segment layer A includes a composition of 55% PET/45% PP, segment layerB includes a composition of 45% PET/55% PP, and segment layer C includesa composition of 25% PET/75% PP. Each segment layer AA, A, B and C mayhave a density of about 70 GSM.

Each of the segment layers AA, A, B and C can be composed of three ormore layers of individual sandwich structures of PP layers on each sideof PET fibers. The outer PP layers exhibit randomly distributed poresize structure across the surface of a sheet which also is a microthree-dimensional structure. This helps maintain flow rate and preventpressure drop. The inner PET layer is composed of fibers which create afurther three-dimensional structure to allow better dust loadingcapacity whilst maintaining randomly distributed pore sizes which againhelps prevent pressure drop and premature clogging. The PET layergenerally has a lower density and has much more porosity than the PPlayer.

Multiple layers of the sandwich are stacked one on top of another tocreate a segment with more depth and hence more voids and more of athree-dimensional structure. These randomly distributed voids help tocapture a range of particle sizes to prevent subsequent segment layersfrom clogging prematurely. Stacking of these layers helps create a morethree-dimensional structure with multidirectional flow.

Segment layer AA is made from PET fibers sandwiched between layers ofPP. This “sandwich” is more open than subsequent segment layers andexhibits a larger pore size structure in general than subsequent segmentlayers but has a smaller pore size than previous segment layers.

In one embodiment, segment layer AA can be composed of three or moreindividual sandwich structures. The outer layers of each sandwich arecomposed of melt blown polypropylene which exhibits randomly distributedpore size structure across the surface of a sheet which is which also amicro three-dimensional structure. This helps maintain flow rate andprevent pressure drop. The inner layer is composed of polyethyleneterephthalate fibers which create a further three-dimensional structureto allow better dust loading capacity whilst maintaining randomlydistributed pore sizes which again helps prevent pressure drop andpremature clogging.

Multiple layers of the sandwich are stacked one on top of another tocreate a segment with more depth and hence more voids and more of athree-dimensional structure. These randomly distributed voids help tocapture particle sizes to prevent subsequent segment layers fromclogging prematurely. Stacking of these layers helps create a morethree-dimensional structure with multidirectional flow.

Referring to FIGS. 34-36, segment layer D is illustrated by in profile,stack profile and surface views. In one embodiment, segment layer D hasall PP individual sheets with a density of about 40 GSM that are bondedtogether into segment layer D. The PP sheet may have a depth of 0.5-2 mmMultiple individual sheets are stacked to create a segment with depthand voids. These randomly distributed voids help to capture largerparticle sizes above 3 microns to prevent the subsequent layers fromclogging prematurely and causing a drop in pressure. This stacking helpscreates a more three-dimensional filter segment with greater dustholding capacity and with multidirectional flow.

Referring to FIGS. 37-39, segment layer E is shown in surface, cut awayand profile views. Segment layer E includes PP on outer surfaces withpseudoboehmite sandwiched in-between. Pseudoboehmite is an aluminumcompound with the chemical composition AIO. It consists of finelycrystalline boehmite, but with a higher water content than in boehmite

Segment layer E can be composed of one or more layers of individualsandwich structures with a 6.25 mean micron pore size. Thepseudoboehmite creates a further three-dimensional structure to allowbetter dust loading capacity whilst maintaining randomly distributedmicro pore sizes which again helps prevent pressure drop and prematureclogging. This helps maintain flow rate and prevent pressure drop withmultidirectional flow. Powder activated carbon may also be incorporatedin the inside of the sandwich for taste, odor contaminant reduction.

Referring to FIGS. 40-42, segment layer F is shown in surface, cut awayand profile views. Similar to segment layer E, segment layer F can becomposed of includes PP on outer surfaces with pseudoboehmite sandwichedin-between, however, the individual sandwich structures have a muchfiner 1.25 micron mean pore size.

Other filter media may be used instead of pseudoboehmite, such as, forexample, very fine (small diameter), highly entangled and/or denselayers of PET fibers.

FIGS. 43 and 44 are photos of the full stack of segment layers AAA, AA,A, B, C, D and F shown in FIGS. 21-23 mentioned above. All the segmentlayers are in contact with adjacent layers. The resulting sedimentfilter has can have a finer pore size and/or higher dust load capacityrelative to conventional filters before the sediment filter gets cloggedand loses its filtration capacity.

Referring to FIGS. 46 and 47, a cylindrical sediment filter 300 isillustrated with filter media segment layers AAA′, AA′, A′, B′, C′, D′,E′ and F′ are configured as a concentric ring. Each segment AAA′, AA′,A′, B′, C′, D′, E′ and F′ are in contact with adjacent segment layersbut the surfaces of adjacent segment layers are not bonded together. Thecomposition of the segment layer may be similar to that described abovewith respect to FIGS. 21-23 and 43-44. In other embodiments, there maybe more or less segment layers of different compositions.

FIG. 48 illustrates the cylindrical sediment filter 300 in use. Thecylindrical sediment filter 300 is installed in a filter casing 310. Thefilter casing has a water input line with water flowing into the filtercasing shown by Arrow A.

The bottom of the filter 300 is sealed or pressure fitted against thebottom of the casing such that water flows through the filter as shownby Arrow B. The water flows into an open channel at the center of thefilter 300 and flows out of the casing case through output line 330 inthe direction shown by Arrow C.

FIG. 49 illustrates another embodiment of a sediment filter configuredas a bag filter 350. The bag filter 350 includes multiple segment layersas that described above or may have another configuration of segmentlayers. The edges of the bag filter 350 may essentially be crimped orsecured together by a round collar or may be heat bonded or gluedtogether.

The description above has been described with reference to particularembodiments, however, those skilled in the art will understand thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, manymodifications may be made to adapt to a particular situation, material,composition of matter, process, process step or steps, to the objectivespirit and scope of the present disclosure. For example, the filterassembly may be incorporated into another type of water vessel, such as,a drum, barrel or a fixed system. The sediment filter may be configuredas a particulate filter for liquid, gases or air. As another example,the sediment filter may have another shape, such as, a rectangle, globe,container or bag. All such modifications are intended to be within thescope of the claims.

1. A filter system, comprising: a first filter that includes a fibrouslayer having a first and second filter surface, and a pair of surfacelayers sandwiching the first and second filter surface of the fibrouslayer, wherein the surface layers comprise a higher density than thefibrous layer, the surface layers each include a first range of poresizes, and the first filter comprises a composition of 75% fibrous layerand 25% surface layers; a second filter that includes a fibrous layerhaving a first and second filter surface, and a pair of surface layerssandwiching the first and second filter surface of the fibrous layer,wherein the surface layers comprise a higher density than the fibrouslayer, the surface layers each include a second range of pore sizes, andthe second range of pore sizes is smaller than but overlaps with thefirst range of pore sizes; and wherein the second filter comprises acomposition of 55% fibrous layer and 45% surface layers; and a thirdfilter that includes a fibrous layer having a first and second filtersurface, and a pair of surface layers sandwiching the first and secondfilter surface of the fibrous layer, wherein the surface layers comprisea higher density than the fibrous layer, the surface layers each includea third range of pore sizes, and the third range of pore sizes issmaller than but overlaps with the second range of pore sizes, andwherein the third filter comprises a composition of 25% fibrous layerand 75% surface layers.
 2. The filter of claim 1, wherein the fibrouslayer and the surface layers of the first, second and third filterinclude edges that are bonded together.
 3. The filter of claim 1,wherein surfaces of the fibrous layer and the surface layers of thefirst, second and third filter are bonded together.
 4. The filter ofclaim 1, wherein the fibrous layer of the first, second and third filtercomprises a web of entangled fibers that comprise a three-dimensionallayer.
 5. The filter of claim 1, wherein the fibrous layer of at leastone of the first, second and third filter comprises a depth that issubstantially greater than a depth of the pair of surface layers.
 6. Thefilter of claim 1, wherein at least one of the fibrous layer of thefirst, second and third filter comprises polyethylene terephthalate. 7.The filter of claim 1, wherein the surface layers of at least one of thefirst, second and third filter comprise polypropylene.
 8. (canceled) 9.The filter of claim 1, wherein the fibrous layer of at least one of thefirst, second and third filter comprises a highly entangled fiberstructure.
 10. The filter of claim 1, wherein the fibrous of at leastone of the first, second and third filter comprises a crystallinestructure.
 11. The filter of claim 1, wherein the fibrous layer of atleast one of the first, second and third filter comprisespseudoboehmite.
 12. The filter of claim 1, wherein the range of poresizes of the second filter is smaller than the range of pores sizes ofthe first filter by adding additional surface layers to the secondfilter and the range of pore sizes of the third filter is smaller thanthe range of pores sizes of the second filter by adding additionalsurface layers to the third filter.
 13. A sediment filter system,comprising: a series of first, second and third segment layers eachhaving a fibrous layer sandwiched between outer layers, wherein each ofthe series of segment layers includes different ratios of the materialcomprising the fibrous layer as compared to the material comprising theouter layers; wherein the fibrous layer comprises a low-density materialrelative to the outer layers; and wherein the segment layers with highercompositions of outer layers include additional sheets of outer layersthereby decreasing the range of pore sizes; and wherein the firstsegment layer comprises a composition of 75% fibrous layer and 25% outerlayers; the second segment layer comprises a composition of 55% fibrouslayer and 45% outer layers, and the third segment layer comprises acomposition of 25% fibrous layer and 75% outer layers.
 14. (canceled)15. The sediment filter system of claim 13, wherein the outer layerscomprise polypropylene (PP) and the fibrous layer comprises polyethyleneterephthalate (PET).
 16. (canceled)
 17. The sediment filter of claim 13wherein the low-density fibrous layers are configured asthree-dimensional structures that allow dust particles to move throughthe fibrous layers in a circuitous direction.
 18. The sediment filter ofclaim 17, wherein the circuitous path of dust particles through thefibrous layers increases the dust particle storage capacity of thefibrous layers. 19-20. (canceled)
 21. The filter system of claim 1,wherein the surface layers comprise polypropylene (PP) and the fibrouslayer comprises polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
 22. (canceled)
 23. Thefilter system of claim 21, wherein the surface layers comprisepolypropylene (PP) and further comprising a fourth filter comprising acomposition of 100% PP.
 24. The filter system of claim 1, wherein eachfibrous layer of the first, second and third filter comprises alow-density fibrous layer configured as a three-dimensional structurethat allows sediment particles to move laterally and in a circuitousdirection relative to direction of water flow through the surfacelayers.
 25. The filter system of claim 1, wherein each fibrous layer ofthe first, second and third filter comprises a three-dimensionalstructure that stores a high volume of sediment particles relative to asediment particle storage capacity of the surface layers.
 26. A filtersystem, comprising: a first filter that includes a first fibrous layerand a first pair of outer layers, wherein the outer layers comprise ahigher density than the fibrous layer, wherein the outer layers includea first range of pore sizes, and wherein the first filter comprises adepth of 75% fibrous layer and 25% outer layers; and a second filterthat includes a second fibrous layer and a second pair of outer layers,wherein the second outer layers comprise a higher density than thesecond fibrous layer, the second outer layers include a second range ofpore sizes wherein the second range of pore sizes is smaller than butoverlaps with the first range of pore sizes, and wherein the secondfilter comprises a depth of 55% fibrous layer and 45% outer layers; anda third filter that includes a third fibrous layer and a third pair ofouter layers, wherein the third outer layers comprise a higher densitythan the third fibrous layer, the third outer layers include a thirdrange of pore sizes that is smaller than but overlaps with the secondrange of pore sizes, and wherein the third filter comprises a depth of25% fibrous layer and 75% outer layers; wherein the first, second andthird fibrous layers each are configured with randomly varying ranges ofpore sizes that filter sediment particles while allowing the sedimentparticles to move laterally and in a circuitous direction relative to adirection of water flow through surfaces of the first second and thirdouter layers thereby increasing a sediment particle storage capacity ofthe first, second and third fibrous layers.
 27. The filter system ofclaim 1, wherein the first, second and third pairs of surface layers arebonded to the first, second and third fibrous layers, respectively. 28.The filter system of claim 1, further comprising: a first filter segmentthat comprises a plurality of first filters; a second filter segmentthat includes a plurality of second filters; and a third filter segmentthat includes a plurality of third filters.
 29. The filter system ofclaim 1, wherein the surface layers of the first, second and thirdfilters comprise sediment particle filters and the fibrous layers of thefirst, second and third filter comprise sediment particle storage mediabetween the sediment particle filters.